Detroit, MI
2024 NFL draft in Detroit: Everything you need to know before you go
Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan on 2024 NFL draft in Downtown Detroit
“What the team here has done has created so many other spaces where you’re going to be able to watch and hear the draft.”
The 2024 NFL draft is in Detroit on April 25-27, as you probably have heard by now. If you’re traveling to Detroit for the draft, here’s a guide to make your draft experience easy and unforgettable.
Information on registration, parking, travel, street closings, and draft day activities are all below.
When is the 2024 NFL draft?
The 2024 NFL draft is from April 25-27 in Detroit, spanning from Campus Martius to Hart Plaza in downtown with additional events in Beacon Park, Capitol Park, Grand Circus Park, Harmonie Park, and along Woodward Avenue.
2024 NFL draft registration
If you still have not signed up for the free draft day experience, there’s still time to register using the NFLOnePass app or online through the website.
Registering for the event only guarantees you the NFL draft footprint in downtown Detroit. You must buy tickets separately for the actual draft theater.
Ticket packages are available for purchase for the second and third rounds starting at $950 per person — the fourth through seventh rounds start at $550 per person as well. Please be wary of potential ticket scams.
Can I still book a hotel in Detroit for the draft?
With the NFL draft just two weeks away, options are limited if you’re still looking to book a place near the NFL draft in Detroit. Here’s what to know.
Downtown Detroit transportation
Detroit has multiple public transport options to get around downtown. The city has a streetcar, an elevated rail system, bike share, and bus system to get you where you need to go.
That said, plan to get downtown early and be prepared to leave late. Hundreds of thousands of fans are expected to travel to Detroit over the course of the draft’s three days.
Detroit parking for 2024 NFL draft
You can pay for metered parking through Park Detroit’s website or app. There are also options for private parking throughout the city.
More: Downtown Detroit parking lots to see upgrades ahead of 2024 NFL draft
Detroit road closures for 2024 NFL draft
The city will start phase three of its street closings on April 15 at midnight. This marks the halfway point of the action plan to close downtown streets to accommodate the draft day build-out.
Closed streets for phase three:
- Jefferson Avenue; Bates Street; Atwater Street
- Southbound M-10 (Lodge), full closure at West Jefferson(Exit 1A: open); Larned ramp (Exit 1B: open)
Things to do in Detroit during the 2024 NFL draft
Detroit is a city rich with museums, restaurants and activities throughout. If you’re interested in exploring the area outside of the draft, you can go to the Motown Museum, the Michigan Science Center, check out golf rich southeast Michigan, and even catch a Detroit Tigers game on April 26, 27 or 28 when they host the Kansas City Royals.
Get a souvenir while you’re in the city.
More: NFL draft in Detroit: Hotels, restaurants, things to do for traveling fans
Detroit NFL draft activities
Draft day activities are from noon-10 p.m. on Thursday and Friday. On Saturday, events go from 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
Activities include a Pro Football Hall of Fame exhibit and an autograph signing opportunity with current and former NFL players, as well as a 40-yard dash, vertical jump, deep throw accuracy challenges, and more. There will also be a collection of Detroit-based food trucks for participants who attend.
More: Detroit City Council OKs several public, private NFL draft events
Usually, the top prospects that go at the beginning of the first round will attend the draft in person, so players such as Caleb Williams, Drake Maye, Marvin Harrison Jr., Jayden Daniels and Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy could walk across the stage in the heart of downtown Detroit. There have not been any announcements yet of which prospects will be at the draft April 25.
What else is Detroit doing for the NFL draft?
Here’s a list of other attractions and events planned for Detroit and the 2024 NFL draft:
Follow the Detroit Free Press on Instagram (@detroitfreepress), TikTok (@detroitfreepress), YouTube (@DetroitFreePress), Twitter/X (@freep), and LinkedIn, and like us on Facebook (@detroitfreepress).
Detroit, MI
Lions place Kerby Joseph on IR, make 2 OL moves for Steelers game
The Detroit Lions have finally placed safety Kerby Joseph on injured reserve, effectively ending the All-Pro defender’s season.
Joseph has been dealing with a knee injury for essentially the entire season, but there was some brief hope he’d be able to return to the field. After suffering a setback during a recent practice, Joseph has been sidelined, and Detroit finally decided to end his season after he had missed the past eight games. Technically, Joseph would be eligible to return to the field if Detroit advances to the Divisional Round of the NFL playoffs, but that seems unlikely. Joseph’s season ends with 18 tackles in six games and three interceptions.
Additionally, the Lions have made several offensive moves to address current injuries. Notably, they have activated guard Christian Mahogany, who has been on injured reserve for six weeks after suffering a leg fracture against the Vikings. It’s quite possible he’ll return to his starting position at left guard, although coach Dan Campbell offered some caution on Friday.
“Yesterday, I thought he looked pretty good. Wasn’t perfect, but I thought he looked pretty good,” Campbell said. “And some of it’s going to be, I know he’s a little sore today, and how he feels in today’s practice. That’s what a lot of it’s going to come down to.”
The Lions have also elevated offensive lineman Kingsley Eguakun from the practice squad. That could be a bad sign for the availability of starting center Graham Glasgow. He’s been dealing with a knee injury that caused him to miss two practices this week and landed him with a questionable designation. The Lions now have several options at center, including Eguakun, Trystan Colon (who is dealing with a wrist injury of his own), and Michael Niese. Campbell said the team has been exploring all options in practice this week.
“We’ve obviously worked Colon because he’s been there. I know he’s got the wrist, but he was out there working with it yesterday,” Campbell said. “Just trying to get Graham off his feet. But I mean, we’ve worked Niese, we’ve worked Kingsley. We’ve kind of just hit all around, and we’re rolling the guards, too. So, it’s really been a little bit of a revolving door trying to get a number of guys ready because there’s a lot of flex going into this game right now.”
Lastly, the Lions also elevated tight end Giovanni Ricci from the practice squad for the second straight week as the Lions continue to be short-handed at tight end in the wake of injuries to Sam LaPorta and Brock Wright.
Detroit, MI
Detroit Lions running backs open up about life on and off the field
Detroit, MI
Detroit Fire Department brings Christmas joy to family who lost everything in house fire
DETROIT (WXYZ) — Christmas came early for a Detroit family of 10 after the Detroit Fire Department surprised them with a truck full of gifts, nearly a year after they lost their home and all belongings in a devastating fire.
On Jan. 6, Raychelle Womack and her family were living in their home on Santa Rosa Drive near Fullerton Street when it caught fire. All their possessions were destroyed in the blaze.
Watch Demetrios Sanders’ video report below:
Family’s Christmas saved after fire
“You try buying everything for a new baby and then you lose it all, on top of the other seven kids that you’ve got — that’s everything,” Womack said.
As the family continued recovering from the fire, questions remained about what Christmas could look like this year.
“Whatever we could make happen, that’s what we’re going to make happen,” Womack said.
WXYZ
That worry disappeared when the Detroit Fire Department and community partners visited the family’s new east side home with a truck full of Christmas gifts.
“To lose everything and then slowly but surely gain everything, it means a lot,” Womack said.
This marks the fourth year the Detroit Fire Department has brought Christmas cheer to families in need during the holidays.
WXYZ
“We know people lose everything in these fires, so if we can do anything to make their lives better, to make their lives easier, especially around the holiday season, we’re willing to do it,” said Chuck Simms, executive fire commissioner with the Detroit Fire Department.
Simms said the effort is driven by donations and brings joy not only to the families impacted but also to the first responders who participate.
“It’s just a great thing and nice thing for us to do,” Simms said.
WXYZ
With a Christmas tree now surrounded by gifts, Womack’s children are definitely looking forward to Christmas.
“It was nice and we appreciate it,” one child said.
WXYZ
For Womack, only one challenge remains.
“Now it’s making sure everything (gifts) stays closed until Christmas,” Womack said.
—————
This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.
-
Iowa6 days agoAddy Brown motivated to step up in Audi Crooks’ absence vs. UNI
-
Iowa1 week agoHow much snow did Iowa get? See Iowa’s latest snowfall totals
-
Maine4 days agoElementary-aged student killed in school bus crash in southern Maine
-
Maryland6 days agoFrigid temperatures to start the week in Maryland
-
Technology1 week agoThe Game Awards are losing their luster
-
South Dakota7 days agoNature: Snow in South Dakota
-
New Mexico4 days agoFamily clarifies why they believe missing New Mexico man is dead
-
World1 week agoCoalition of the Willing calls for transatlantic unity for Ukraine